As Corporate Vice President & President, Electronic Systems, Mr. Pitts has responsibility for developing, producing, and providing critical technologies, systems, and services for the Department of Defense, other government agencies, and commercial and international customers. Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland since 1938, Electronic Systems is one of Northrop Grumman's largest sectors, with $7 billion in sales for 2008 and 21,600 employees operating in locations throughout the United States and in 19 countries worldwide.

Mr. Pitts joined the company immediately upon graduation from Johns Hopkins University (B.E.S.) in 1973. From 1973 until 1980, he worked in Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems Engineering in the areas of systems performance analysis and mode development. This assignment included threat analysis and development of a lightweight, low-cost EW demonstration system that led to what is now the Airborne Self-Protection Jammer (ASPJ). In 1977, he obtained a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

In 1980, Mr. Pitts joined the Digital Signal Processing organization as a supervisor, which led to increasing levels of functional engineering management responsibility. His assignments included development of SIGINT systems, Light Helicopter and Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) processor architectures, and the Pave Pillar studies that defined the advanced avionics architecture for what is now the F-22 radar.

In 1987, Mr. Pitts was assigned to the Integrated Systems business area, and in 1990 became deputy general manager for the Systems Development and Engineering Division. During this period, he was responsible for the development of integrated sensor systems, radar, EW and weapon systems.

In 1991, Mr. Pitts was named Vice President of Avionics Systems for the sector. This included product development and production for tactical and fire control radars on the F-16, F-22, B-1B, and C-130 platforms.

He accepted the position of Vice President, Engineering and Manufacturing in December 1997. This included responsibility for all engineering and manufacturing operations for the Electronic Sensors and Systems Sector.

In 2001, he was assigned to lead the Aerospace Division. This responsibility included the company's radar related business, as well as most of the Army business within the sector.

Mr. Pitts attended the Executive Forum at INSEAD in 1995 and the Advanced Management Program at Harvard in 1996. He holds three patents in support of various electronic warfare techniques and developments. Mr. Pitts served as the Industry Co-Chair for Lean Aerospace Initiatives.

He served on the University of Maryland Board of Visitors and Board of Trustees for the Maryland Science Center; Johns Hopkins National Advisory Council, Governor's Workforce Investment Board, and was a member of the McDaniel College Corporate Advisory Council (CAC). He served on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Central Maryland and the Board of Directors for Carroll County Hospital. He also served as Vice Chairman of the University of Maryland Medical System.

He currently serves as Chairman of the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education and also serves on the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Board of Directors.

In 2002, Mr. Pitts received the Engineer of the Year Award from UMBC's College of Engineering. A native of Baltimore, Mr. Pitts was born on April 22, 1951. He and his wife, Kay, have three children and reside in Pasadena, MD.